Seoul Must-Do Itinerary: Yongsan/Itaewon Edition

These days, the most popular areas in Seoul among Gen Z Koreans has to include Yeonnam-dong and Haebangchon (HBC). Yongridan-gil, spanning from Yongsan Station to Sin Yongsan Station and the Samgak-ji area, exudes an exotic charm with its unique blend of restaurants and diverse cafes that have captured the interest of many. This place is bustling with people all day and night, and it boasts a variety of distinctive shops that are perfect for showcasing on social media.

Yongridan-gil is right by Yongsan Station, so it is easy to get to and close to attractions like I Park Mall, so you can easily enjoy both dining and shopping in one area. Additionally, Nodeul Island Han River Park and Yongsan Family Park are nearby, providing the perfect opportunity to fully enjoy a day filled with fun activities and delicious eats.

Haebangchon is very popular among foreigners and is considered a gathering place for people in their 20s and 30s. The views at Haebangchon are amazing because you can see Namsan Tower up close, and if the weather is good, you can enjoy the sunset and city night view. Additionally, there are hidden restaurants, cafes, and bars scattered among the alleys that you can. The entrance to Haebangchon might be crowded with people, but there are quieter, calmer spots within the area as well!

Let's check out some of the most popular places in Yongridan-gil and Haebangchon!

Yongridan-gil

1) Dotori Yongsan

Hours: Every Day 09:00~23:00
Address: 227, Hangang-ro 1-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Popular Menu Items

Dotori is a cafe that perfectly captures the essence of a Studio Ghibli movie. The cafe has been renovated from an old house, and looks like it's straight out from a movie! The blue walls on the exterior are very eye-catching. When you enter the cafe, the interior makes it feel like you've walked into a scene from a fairy tale.

Dotori is quite popular, so many people visit early in the morning. The pastries immediately catch your eyes with chestnut-shaped madeleines and other various kinds of bread. Not only do they have bakery products available, but also brunch menu items and homemade Greek yogurt, so it's perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a snack!

Brunch is best enjoyed warm, so we recommend ordering it with a soup. It tastes even better when you spread some butter or jam and put vegetables, eggs, and bacon on the bread all at once.

You can also get homemade greek yogurt, which is made on the spot with fresh fruits, granola, and honey. It comes with a piece of the actual honeycomb, which can be eaten with the yogurt to enhance the texture and taste.

There are seats available on the first and second floor, and the best spot to take pictures is by the window in the early morning. There are a bigger variety of pastries available after 10:30, and the cafe is open until 23:00, so you can visit at a time that's most comfortable for you. You can also get takeout!

Waiting Tips

Lunchtime, early afternoon, and evening (after around 18:00) are the busiest, with an average wait time of more than 10 groups. Therefore, it is recommended to visit before opening time or before 12:00.

2) Sam Sam Sam

Hours: Every Day 10:30-22:00 (Mon-Fri Break Time 15:00-17:30)
Address: 25, Hangang-daero 50-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Menu

Sam Sam Sam is a popular restaurant on Yongridan-gil where an average of about 500 people wait daily. It is considered one of the hottest spots on Yongridan-gil, as people line up before the store even opens. Both the interior and exterior, with its red accents that can be seen from afar, make it seem like you're in a famous restaurant in San Francisco.

The food is just as amazing here! The ravioli dish has hash browns between the noodles, giving it a crispy yet chewy texture.

We also recommend the Jambon Beurre Pasta, which has a combination of flavors jambon beurre, miso butter sauce, basil pesto, and pistachios. It's a very unique dish that is difficult to find elsewhere!

Waiting Tips

• You'll want to arrive either right when the restaurant opens or wait from around 17:00 before the weekday break time ends. There is a high possibility of entering immediately if you do so!
• Once arriving, you'll be required to register your party through Catch Table. If 5 minutes have passed after your party has been called, your spot will be canceled, so make sure you're close by when there's one group left in front of you. Keep in mind that the waiting time may be longer for groups of 3 or more!

3) Teddy Beurre House

Hours: Every Day 11:00-22:00
Address: 25, Hangang-daero 50-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Popular Menu Items

Teddy Beurre House is a popular cafe that gives European vibes from the design of the exterior and interior. Most of the cafe's props have been brought over from Paris, so when you enjoy bread and coffee here, it feels like you're in Europe!

The cafe has popular seating areas where you can take photos with the cute bear dolls. You can take photos at the indoor sofa seating area and at the terrace seats! You'll get nice photos from anywhere in the cafe, but sitting near the window and taking a photo from outside to capture the exterior of the cafe is a great way to get a unique photo.

People love this cafe for its vintage interior as well as the delicious bread and crispy pastries.

The Pistachio Kouign-amann has a chewy texture of pistachios and a sweet cream that adds a variety of textures. Also, unlike other cafes that sell croissants, this cafe has a Keurungji (크룽지), which is pressed croissant that is super crispy. The crust has a crispy texture, similar to the scorched pressed rice called Nurungji (누룽지) in Korea.

Inside the cafe there's even a toaster than can be used, so you can heat up some pastries, making the bread crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. It makes it even more delicious!

Waiting Tips

Teddy Beurre House is especially crowded on the weekends, so I recommend visiting on weekdays. Many people register their party at Sam Sam Sam nearby, and then come to this cafe to have a drink and take some bread to-go.

4) Seoul Angmusae

Hours: Every Day 08:00-23:00
Address: 1F-3F, 55, 62-gil, Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Popular Menu Items

Seoul Angmusae is a very popular cafe in Seoul and also has a location in Seongsu. It stands out even from a distance with its eye-catching exterior, adding to the popularity of Yongridan-gil.

On the first floor, you can order bread and drinks, and there is a seating area on the second floor (pickup area) and the third floor. The bakery offers various types of bread, such as baguettes, loaves, morning rolls, brioche buns, croissants, mammoth bread, ham sandwiches, madeleines, soups, etc. As soon as you enter the first floor, you'll see a colorful variety of pastries!

The bun pastries can be enjoyed like a sandwich, and if you like cinnamon, we recommend trying a cinnamon roll with toppings. The mammoth bread combines red bean paste and cream, and comes in a pretty big portion!

The spaces on the second and third floor have a very hip atmosphere with vibrant colored tables, chairs, and accessories. When the windows are open, it feels like an outdoor cafe!

Waiting Tips

Seoul Angmusae is one of the largest and most popular cafes on Yongridan-gil, so it tends to have quite a long wait on weekends. If you visit before 14:00, not in the late afternoon, you should be able to avoid the wait. It's best to find a seat first and then place your order on the first floor.

Haebangchon (HBC)

1) Le Montblanc

Hours: Tue - Sun 12:00-20:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Address: 1F, 99-4 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Popular Menu Items

Le Montblanc is a cafe that has a warm and cozy atmosphere and is yarn-themed! As you venture into the alleyway of Haebangchon, you will come across a building that seems to have stood the test of time. The first floor has all the pretty desserts on display, and there are seats on the second floor and rooftop where you can sit.

At this cafe, you can't help but be amazed when you see the cutest desserts that look like they're made of real yarn! The closer you examine the cakes, the more fascinating their lifelike texture appears.

The cake is filled with mousse and pairs perfectly with the cream, being sweet and refreshing. In addition to the fluffy cake is the tart, which also has a soft texture and is filled with sweetness. If you prefer something lighter than most bakeries, we recommend the desserts here!

The interior at Le Montblanc is very comforting, as it is filled with wooden chairs and tables and white wallpaper. From the rooftop, you can see Namsan Tower, which provides an open space and an atmosphere different from the interior. If you want to experience unique desserts in Seoul and enjoy the atmosphere of the rooftop, spend some time at Le Montblanc.

10% Off Le Montblanc

2) OEAT

Hours: Every Day 12:00-22:00
Address: 95 Sinheung Road, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Popular Menu Items

There are many rooftop cafes in Haebangchon near Namsan Tower. This cafe called OEAT is one of them, and here you can enjoy the Seoul cityscape and beautiful sunset views framed by glass windows. This cafe offers a view of Namsan Tower on the right side of the rooftop along with a spectacular view of the city. It is also famous for being a place that Karina and Giselle of aespa have visited.

On the first floor of the cafe, sunlight pours into the modern and sophisticated interior. It is recommended to sit near the windows on the second or third floor during sunset, where you can enjoy the view by pulling up the blinds.

OEAT sells croffles and kaymak desserts. In addition to coffee, they also sell alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine, so you can choose according to what you're feeling like! Beer and wine are better suited for enjoying the view from the rooftop after sunset.

The most popular menu is the ice cream croffle with vanilla ice cream, but if you want to try a unique dessert, we recommend the kaymak. It is creamy and slightly sweet, served on a piece of chewy ciabatta bread with a drizzle of syrup for a simple yet delicious taste.

It is a good spot to visit when you want to see Namsan Tower amidst the sunset. You can also enjoy both the day and night view of Seoul. After spending time on the rooftop, it is also nice to finish the day with a drink at a nearby pub or bar.

Korea Tourism Organization X Creatrip K-FOOD Discount Promotion

From October 1st to November 30th, you can receive up to 80% off at over 50 affiliated restaurants with Creatrip. Stay tuned for the upcoming promotion!

We hope that you can enjoy some of the best restaurants and cafes here in Yongridan-gil and Haebangchon! If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com. You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!